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Last of four people charged in fatal Fargo stabbing pleads guilty

FARGO – The last of four people charged with murder in a planned robbery that ended in a fatal stabbing pleaded guilty Wednesday in Cass County District Court.

Alexander Clapper, 19, was sentenced to 10 years with one year suspended for his involvement in the killing of Rolandas House, 26, near a Fargo grocery store.

Clapper’s guilty plea came after guilty pleas by his father, sister and acquaintance, who are all serving lengthy prison terms.

Clapper was allegedly robbed by House in a drug deal gone wrong March 13. The next day, he conspired to entice House to the store with a sham drug deal so he could get his money back, prosecutor Tristan Van de Streek said.

Clapper never went to the store, but his acquaintance, Wade Garrett, met House there and fatally stabbed and robbed him. Garrett was sentenced to 25 years. He testified that Clapper gave him the knife and said, “Use it if you have to.”

Clapper’s sister, Tamara Leigh Ann Clapper, was sentenced to 10 years. She said she set up the drug deal.

Clapper’s father, Arlen Dean Clapper, was sentenced to 10 years with one suspended. He drove to store and chased down House with his vehicle, Van de Streek said.

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